Citizen Observer

CITY OF JOHNSON CITY
JOHNSON CITY BUREAU OF POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
Prepared By:
Sgt. John Hames
Date:
April 15, 2009
Time:
1500
Subject:
Public/private Partnership
Approved By:
Chief John Lowry
 
City police to Partnership with local business to send city residents
electronic crime alerts; Text messages, e-mails.
Police Chief John Lowry is pleased to announce a Public/Private partnership with local businessman Joe Trujillo of Johnson City Honda to provide a crime alert system that will send text messages, e-mails, and faxes to residents when crimes occur in their neighborhoods.
The system, operated by the J.C.P.D. and the Internet Company www.citizenobserver.com , is meant to disseminate crucial information about crimes -- including times, locations, descriptions of suspects, and photographs -- into the hands of those most affected and those in the best position to help police find suspects.
Chief Lowry said he hopes to engage residents, especially community and crime watch groups, as well as ever-growing teenage cell phone users. This service provides sometimes instantaneous information and ways for residents to message tips back to investigators, police hope to gain a powerful tool in identifying and catching criminals. The electronic tips that residents can send back to police would be 100% anonymous, potentially freeing some from fears of retribution for helping authorities.
``We want the public, and especially our younger generation to feel free to send us information that is 100% anonymous”, said Police Sergeant John Hames.
The program, which is being used in many other cities across the country, allows police to take the information they have gleaned from a break-in, robbery, or any crime the public can assist in solving, and post it on a website, where it is then automatically transmitted to anyone who has signed up to receive the messages. The alerts are also available online. The system allows anyone with a cell phone to provide information anonymously to the JCPD via text message.
To send a text message to the Johnson City PD, text 423JCPD and your tip to 847411 (tip411).” This kind of “on demand” tip system enables the public to provide information while maintaining anonymity. The tip can be directly responded to creating a two-way dialogue between Law Enforcement and the tipster. This service does not replace 911 and is neither for emergencies nor for dispatch of a police officer.
Local business owner Joe Trujillo of Johnson City Honda was excited about sponsoring this new and innovative way to provide a two way communication with citizens. Mr. Trujillo noted that the “younger generation may have information to share with police but are afraid to do so if their identity is known. This service provides a completely ANONYMOUS method to do so”.
Mr. Trujillo will present the JCPD with a check at the beginning of the Johnson City Commission Meeting Thursday, April 16th.
Electronic crime alerts will be sent out when police decide members of the public may be able to aid an investigation or when the information can help communities cope with crimes. Other uses may include major traffic crash advisories, hazardous weather situations, and AMBER Alerts. ``We will share information that the public and businesses need, and can act on," said Police Sergeant John Hames ``However, there will not be alerts every five minutes."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Example of how to send an anonymous text to the
Johnson City POLICE
 
 
Links for additional information:
 
 
More Information
Category
News Release
Published Date:
09/11/2014